1. Introduction to Trung Trang Cave
Trung Trang Cave is a natural cave that passes through the mountain, with a length of about 300m. It is one of the most popular caves for tourists to visit in Cat Ba, Hai Phong. Inside the cave is a marvel of nature, with a limestone ecosystem formed over millions of years, creating unique and fascinating shapes.
1.1. Where is Trung Trang Cave?
Trung Trang Cave is located in the Trung Trang Valley and is about 1km away from the center of Cat Ba National Park. From Cat Ba town, visitors can easily reach the cave by heading northwest for about 15km. It is one of the largest caves and a prominent feature of the cave system in the Cat Ba Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and an attractive tourist destination. Additionally, due to its proximity to the Kim Giao natural forest, the surrounding area of the cave enjoys a cool and pleasant atmosphere, making it convenient for visitors to explore.
Trung Trang Cave is located in the Trung Trang Valley
1.2. History of Trung Trang Cave
The cave was formed tens of millions of years ago when the water flow eroded the limestone mountains, creating a cave that stretches about 300m through the mountain. Inside the cave, there are thousands of stalactites in various shapes and forms, showcasing the mesmerizing beauty and unique creations of nature. When visiting, tourists will not only be amazed by the fascinating beauty of the cave but also learn a legendary story about Cat Ba Island and Trung Trang Cave.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Cat Ba Island was a beautiful archipelago and a strategic point for the Vietnamese people, which led to numerous foreign invasions. To protect the homeland and its people on the island, there was a princess, believed to be Princess Trung Trang, who mobilized young men to fight against the invaders. After successfully repelling the enemy, the Princess returned and took refuge in this cave to safeguard the lives of the people on the island. In appreciation of her noble act, the local residents named the cave Trung Trang Cave.
History of Trung Trang Cave
In the past, the cave was also known as Bat Cave due to its habitat for bats. During the Vietnam War, from 1964 to 1968, the cave served as the headquarters for the naval command and was referred to as the Navy Cave. Today, visitors can still observe historical features such as water tanks, living quarters, and meeting rooms that were used by the soldiers in their daily lives.
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2. What does Trung Trang Cave look like?
During the journey to explore Trung Trang Cave, tourists will be overwhelmed by its mystical beauty. Upon entering the cave, visitors will immediately notice the image of a young woman nestled on the rock wall. On the cave entrance, there is also the image of a snake, believed to be the guardian spirit transmitted by Princess Trung Trang to protect the cave.
As you venture deeper inside the cave, you will encounter sparkling stalactite formations that have been shaped by nature over millions of years. The unique shapes of the stalactites, combined with colorful lighting, turn the cave into a creative sculpture artwork.
During the journey to explore Trung Trang Cave, tourists will be overwhelmed by its mystical beauty.
Each stalactite formation in Trung Trang Cave is closely associated with fascinating legends. The image of an eagle stealing the princess in the ancient fairy tale "Thach Sanh" or the depiction of cranes on the Dong Son bronze drum, and the Black Turtle of Princess Trung Trang are all vividly reproduced. More intriguingly, there is a stalactite formation resembling a Golden-haired Lion, which represents the mythical guardian of the princess's treasure. As you venture deeper into the cave, the stalactite formations become more majestic, intertwining with large cave chambers to create an enchanting labyrinth that captivates the hearts of visitors.
3. How to get there
Trung Trang Cave is located in Trung Trang Valley, about 1km from the center of Cat Ba National Park. From the center of Cat Ba Town, it is about 15km northwest to reach the cave quickly. Tourists can reach here through various routes and means of transportation. However, to reach Trung Trang Cave, tourists must first go to Cat Ba Town.
By Bus
If you are coming from the nearby northern region, you can choose a bus, which is relatively cheap. From Hanoi, you have many options for bus companies, with diverse prices and services. The bus fare ranges from 120,000 - 250,000 VND per trip.
Next, you will take a high-speed boat to Cai Vieng Pier. From there, it only takes about 30 minutes by car to reach Cat Ba Town. The entire journey takes about 3.5 - 4 hours, and the ticket price ranges from 240,000 - 290,000 VND per person per way, depending on the low or high season.
By Train
Trains are a popular means of transportation chosen by many tourists to travel to the Port City. Train tickets from Hanoi to Hai Phong cost around 60,000 VND per ticket, with a travel time of over 2 hours. Upon arrival in Hai Phong, tourists can continue by high-speed boat to Cat Ba Town, with a ticket price of 220,000 VND per person.
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By Motorbike
Traveling by motorbike to Hai Phong is a cost-effective and flexible way to plan your own itinerary. It is only about 120km from Hanoi, and you only need a few hours to conquer the road. However, you need to drive carefully, control your speed, and obey traffic laws to ensure safety during your trip.
By Airplane
Tourists from the southern or central provinces can choose airplanes as their means of transportation to Hai Phong. From Cat Bi Airport, tourists can travel to Cat Ba Town by taxi or motorbike.
4. Where to stay
After finishing the exploration of Trung Trang Cave, tourists can choose to stay in Cat Ba Town for the convenience of visiting and traveling to other tourist destinations. Cat Ba Island offers a diverse range of accommodations for you to choose from, including resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and homestays. Here are some highly-rated accommodation options in Cat Ba:
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Monkey Island Resort: Cat Ba, Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City.
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Hung Long Harbour Hotel: 268 1-4 Street, Cat Ba Town, Cat Ba Archipelago, Cat Hai District.
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Sea Pearl Cat Ba Hotel: 219 1/4 Street, Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City.
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Cat Ba Island Resort & Spa: Cat Co 1, Cat Hai District, Cat Ba Town, Cat Hai District, Hai Phong City.
5. Tips for visitors
To make your trip to Trung Trang Cave convenient, you can also consider the following points:
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Plan your Cat Ba trip early to take advantage of booking cheap flights, hotels, and tour packages with the best options.
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Maintain cleanliness and avoid littering while also raising awareness of environmental protection in the tourist area. In particular, during the visit, do not touch the natural stalactites or engage in actions that damage the natural resources.
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Don't forget to bring your camera, phone, and power bank to capture beautiful photos in the cave.
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Carry some snacks and basic medications such as headache relievers, fever reducers, nasal decongestants, and mosquito repellent cream.
Trung Trang Cave, with its mystical beauty combined with the majestic surrounding natural scenery, will give you a feeling of being lost in a dreamy paradise. We hope that these tips will help you have the most enjoyable experiences.
